In order to build a stronger, more self-sufficient America, America must first be willing to change. To build a progressive and competitive society, America's most important challenge is to change its antiquated educational system. In every political administration, education must be first and foremost. Without a strong and revitalized educational system, America will never progress to greatness nor be able to alleviate any of our other ills. The three R's - reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic - is how our children have been taught since the beginning of time. But we're now in the twenty-first century, and we have a responsibility to our children, to America's future, to educate tomorrow's leaders and...

One of the most difficult parts of being in musical theater, especially for kids, is the auditioning process. What follows are 3 of the most important tips to give your child when it comes to auditioning for musical theatre or Broadway shows: 1) Find Out What's Needed for the Audition This might seem like common sense, but it's very important to know specifically what the people who are conducting the audition are looking for. Keep in mind there are three aspects to musical theatre -dance, singing, and acting. Sometimes an audition calls for you to know 16 bars of a song and to bring their own music. Other times the audition calls for you to have memorized a 1 minute monologue. Often there is a...

One of the most difficult parts of being in musical theater, especially for kids, is the auditioning process. What follows are 3 of the most important tips to give your child when it comes to auditioning for musical theatre or Broadway shows: 1) Find Out What's Needed for the Audition This might seem like common sense, but it's very important to know specifically what the people who are conducting the audition are looking for. Keep in mind there are three aspects to musical theatre -dance, singing, and acting. Sometimes an audition calls for you to know 16 bars of a song and to bring their own music. Other times the audition calls for you to have memorized a 1 minute monologue. Often there is a...

What does the Phantom of the Opera and Cats have in common? Answer: They are the longest running plays in the history of Broadway. Phantom is currently still performing its spectacular production and nearing its 7,500th performance. Cats closed on September 10th, 2000 after 7,486 shows. What is the allure of Broadway and these two plays? Phantom has been delighting audiences of readers since Gaston Leroux wrote the novel in 1911. Phantom first went to film in 1925 and recently a remake appeared in 2005. On Broadway, Phantom's opening night was on January 26, 1988 at the Majestic Theatre. Phantom of the Opera had ticket seekers clamoring for the opportunity to take a seat and watch the visual...

The media is abuzz with reports of illegal music and movie downloading, peer-to-peer file sharing and the related legal and legislative battles being played out in courts and in Congress. Many of these discussions perpetuate a myth that existing, or soon-to-be developed, digital rights management (DRM) technologies are the key to solving the entertainment industry's piracy woes. As support for this notion, many people cite Apple's successful iTunes music download service. The conventional wisdom is that since iTunes uses DRM and iTunes is successful, then DRM must have been instrumental in that success. The truth is that Apple's DRM technology, called FairPlay, was indeed instrumental in Apple's...

Ten top shows to see in London's West End or Broadway Lion King - Discover life through the eyes of a Lion. One of Disney's most successful films is brought to life on the stage. When the young lion Prince Simba is born in a glorious celebration on pride rock, his evil uncle Scar is pushed back to second in line to the throne. Scar plots to kill both Simba and his father, King Mufasa, and proclaim himself king. Simba survives but is led to believe that his father died because of him and he decides to flee the kingdom. Will he ever return to save the kingdom? Chicago is the story of Roxie, a 1920's chorus girl who has murdered her lover but manages to get acquitted with the help of a sleazy lawyer...

Experts say that there are societal trends in play that are precipitating a return to pre-industrial era ways of survival. In the face of changing economic realities and disillusionment, many people are questioning the ways they currently make money and are seeking alternate means of income. But, instead of simply getting another job, or opening a fast-food franchise, many are instead asking, "What am I good at?" "What's my passion?" Today's trends are all pointing to a move back to the way things were. At the very least, as the economic landscape becomes more uncertain, people need to look at options for increasing their streams of income. It may be only way to survive. However, there is also a new...

London is well known for its vibrant arts scene and its year-round packed musical programme. From Camden's Roundhouse to the world famous Royal Albert Hall, the UK's capital is overflowing with eclectic musical venues that attract concert-goers from all corners of the globe. But amongst the giants of London's summer musical fixtures looms one well-known regular: the world-famous Puccini opera, Tosca. Tosca has been played at the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden every year since 1964, when Italian director Franco Zeffirelli famously adapted the opera for Maria Callas, a Greek-American soprano who is often referred to as the best-known opera singer of the post World War II period. In 2006...

Phantom of the opera is the longest running Broadway show in the history of New York theater, originally openingon January 26, 1988 the production is in it's eighteenth year and still drawing huge audiences while breakingrecords along the way. The show is playing at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway in the Theater districtlocated on the North side of 44th Street west of Broadway close to 8th Avenue. Running time is two and a halfhours with one intermission and considered in the genre of original Broadway musical. The question always arises "what makes phantom of the opera such a hit on Broadway" and there is no easy answerto the question, perhaps it is the storyline and the subject of beauty and love...

The Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba, was born with a pea-green skin and is considered to be smartest but misunderstood Witch of The Land of Oz. In contrast to her, Glinda the Good Witch is a ravishing and somewhat snooty witch of the region( and not quite what you would expect). Both girls meet in the Land of Oz as the most spectacular musical of the year, "Wicked", begins. Check out the details of wicked tickets here, and get hold of cheap wicked tickets now. Wicked is based on one of the best selling novels, "Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witches of the West", written by Gregory Maguire. Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at the land of...

The Paris Opera House is thought to be one of the greatest pieces of architecture of its period. Located on the northern part of Avenue De L'Opera in the 9e arrondisement , it was founded in 1669 by King Louis XIV. The idea of the Opera house was first proposed in the 1858 during the Second Empire by Baron Haussmann who was granted authorization for the project by Napoleon III. About 12000 square meters of land was cleared and a thirty five year old architect by the name of Charles Garnier was chosen to design the Opera House. In 1861, construction began and 14 years later the building was complete. There were a number of significant delays however, first there were issues such as the Paris Commune...

DON'T Download JUNK! Make sure your download mp3 music is a quality mp3 and that your music download doesn't have hidden downloads that will not only ruin your search for great music but will annoy you and invade your privacy. Here are the four hidden downloads most free music sites install on your computer when you download mp3s. 1.Spyware is almost always contained in mp3 freeware and shareware downloads. The spyware gathers information and monitors the activities you perform, unbeknown to you. 2.Adware is also contained in these mp3 download networks. Your computer can and probably will be stuffed with a huge amount of intrusive advertising. 3.Pornography is very prevalent on the Internet. Be...

Everyone seeks personal depth to one degree or another. Personal depth stands as *the* way to add richness and beauty to our lives. Nobody wants to be considered a shallow person. Still, the concept of becoming a 'deep' person turns many people off. We have this image of a deep person as someone who spends a little too much time stroking his beard and smoking his pipe, lost in thought way beyond us mere mortals. They ponder too much. They're smarter than us. They go to the opera -and actually know what the fat lady is singing about! They're just not normal. Fortunately, personal depth exists as something else altogether. Achieving greater personal depth (and not coincidently, greater success at...

Music is an essential part of our daily lives, and it has the power to make your wedding ceremony a truly special occasion. Because so much depends on the music, you have to make sure you plan it carefully. The music you chose can make or break your event. When choosing your wedding ceremony music, be sure you select music that corresponds with the formality of the wedding. Among other things, keep in mind the religious affiliation, and the length of the ceremony when planning the music. If you ceremony is held in a church, you can expect help from the church organist. Before you finalize your wedding ceremony music, there are a few important issues to consider. 3 Common Musical Categories Classical...

The Phantom of the Opera became the longest running Broadway production ever when it overtook Cats on January 6, 2006 with its 7486th performance. The world premiere of the musical was on September 27, 1986 at Her Majestys Theater in London. The first Broadway production opened on January 9, 1988 at the Majestic Theater. The Phantom of the Opera has been made into a major motion picture as well. It is perhaps the most popular musical in the history of Broadway. The story of Phantom of the Opera revolves around three major characters. One is a facially disfigured genius musician and composer who wears a mask to hide his deformity and is known as the Phantom that haunts the Paris Opera House. He is...

Are you sick and tired of theses Internet Scams claiming to make you a millionaire over night? Lets be honest it's just not going to happen like that. Who are they kidding, if it was that easy than everyone in the world would be a millionaire? I've spent a lot of my own time, money and energy trying to find a way to make a legitimate living on the internet. There are so many books, products and programs out there that promise you everything but deliver you very little. They all claim that you can "make money over night" with very little effort. What I've come to find out is that nothing comes with "very little effort". Money isn't going to just come to you. You have to go and get it. If you...

What does the Phantom of the Opera and Cats have in common? Answer: They are the longest running plays in the history of Broadway. Phantom is currently still performing its spectacular production and nearing its 7,500th performance. Cats closed on September 10th, 2000 after 7,486 shows. What is the allure of Broadway and these two plays? Phantom has been delighting audiences of readers since Gaston Leroux wrote the novel in 1911. Phantom first went to film in 1925 and recently a remake appeared in 2005. On Broadway, Phantom's opening night was on January 26, 1988 at the Majestic Theatre. Phantom of the Opera had ticket seekers clamoring for the opportunity to take a seat and watch the visual...

Experts say that there are societal trends in play that are precipitating a return to pre-industrial era ways of survival. In the face of changing economic realities and disillusionment, many people are questioning the ways they currently make money and are seeking alternate means of income. But, instead of simply getting another job, or opening a fast-food franchise, many are instead asking, "What am I good at?" "What's my passion?" Today's trends are all pointing to a move back to the way things were. At the very least, as the economic landscape becomes more uncertain, people need to look at options for increasing their streams of income. It may be only way to survive. However, there is also a new...

The origin of the Vienna Opera goes back to the beginning of the 18th century. It is the oldest theatrical institution with an unbroken record of performing in the German-speaking world,. A number of new operas were performed in Vienna during the 47-year-long reign of Emperor Leopold I, who was a composer as well a ruler. With a handwritten letter to the Minister of the Interior dated 20 December 1857, the 27-year-old Emperor Franz Josef confirmed his already discussed decision to expand the city of Vienna and for the construction of public buildings. Many participants in the international contest announced on 30 January 1858 for the expansion of the inner city of Vienna planned the new opera house...

This article is for you if you're a behind-the-scenes kind of person - the admin assistant who gets the presentation ready for the guys in marketing but doesn't get to go to the meeting; the PR pro who writes all their speeches and answers all the complaint letters for the president or CEO; the at-home mother who makes sure the concert pianist practices; the deputy chief whose job description is doing all the things the chief doesn't like to do or can't do; or the paralegal who prepares all the pleadings, knows all the codes, and does all the licking and stamping. Temistocle Solear, Antonio Ghislanzoni, Henri Meilhac, Jules Barbier, Michael Carre, Guiseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica, Renato Semoni, and...

Chicago is one of the most entertaining cities in the United States. Not only does it have some of the finest professional sports teams, Chicago is also known for it's exquisite restaurants and historic theatres. If you are planning to visit Chicago in it's summer months, then you will surely want to read on. I'll start with the sports teams first. Probably one of the most popular baseball franchises in the country, the Chicago Cubs are a must see. Yes, I know they haven't won a world series pennant in 100 years, but with the nostalgia look of Wrigley field and it's Wrigleyville atmosphere, you could spend an entire day at and around "The friendly confines". If you'd rather watch a game at a...

Flamenco is a Spanish classical art which consist of three parts of music, dance, and guitar playing. The flamenco music is basically constructed with strong rhythmic undertones that are accompanied with the passionate dance with vigorous movement. It's considered as a part of Spanish culture, but the place of origin for flamenco is Andalusia. The golden period of flamenco music is considered between the periods of (1869-1910). During the period of 1910 to 1955 flamenco singing became easier with the combination of opera flamenco. The real renaissance in flamenco was started in 1955 with the rise of Antonio Mairena as a great artist. The flamenco music has the influence of Salsa, Bossa Nova, and...

Comic strips are almost as popular as comic books in somecircles. So I would be remiss if I didn't compile anarticle about them. Strips have ended up in a multitude ofnewspapers and other media all over the world. Most peoplewho read the Sunday paper can't pass up the comic section. I know I sure can't. Comic strips are short strips or pieces of sequential art,telling a story. They are drawn by cartoonists and arepublished on a recurring basis in newspapers, magazines oron the Internet. Strips can be humorous like Beetle Bailey, Hi & Lois, or Hagar the Horrible, with no continuous story but ends witha typical punch line. Or they can have a soap opera likecontinuity (like Judge Parker or Little...

If you want to hire classical musicians, consult someone who is immersed in the local professional classical music world. An excellent place to start is your local symphony orchestra. Dont call the conductor or the concert master, call the marketing director and tell him or her what you are looking for. The person that holds that job will know every classical musician affiliated with the orchestra, and may well be aware of one or more musicians that work in quartets or small ensembles for private events. Virtually every orchestra of note belongs to the national symphony organization found at The world of professional classical musicians is a relatively small one, even in very large cities, up to...

If you are trying to find a European tourist destination, you should consider the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. This may be the only region of Italy named for a road, one constructed by the Ancient Romans almost 2200 years ago. The present article describes the Emilia subregion, a bit of its history, its many tourist attractions, local food, and local wine. A companion article presents Romagna, the eastern "half" of the region that borders the tiny country of San Marino and the Adriatic Sea. Our tour of Emilia is quite straightforward; it follows the highway basically from east to west, going slightly southward along the way. We'll start at Piacenza, a city founded on the Po River by the...

Surfing the Internet, looking for music and movies to download, you will find a lot of so called music and movie download sites These sites do not provide you with music, or movies to download, no, they provide you with file sharing soft ware you can use to search for, and download music, movies and games. Most of them also provide you with cd burning soft ware and they have a helpdesk for those members who run in to problems with their downloading. These sites are under attack. First of all there is the entertainment industry that wants to shut them down. They claim that these file sharing programs are used to download copy right protected materials. This is true of course, but lots of people...

Finding a hotel that suits your budget comes easy when you take into consideration the activities that you will be busy with, or what you want to achieve during your stay. If being extremely pampered and totally worry-free comes last on your list, then you're welcome to try a 3-star hotel. This is not to say that 3-star hotels do not offer any degree of comfort or luxury; it just seems impractical to be paying for lavish amenities when you won't have the chance to take advantage of them. If you're a business traveler, who intends to be primarily engaged in, well, business matters, and not that concerned with having a fun and relaxing time, then a 3-star hotel with provisions and facilities that are...

1. Checkout the Markets A daily Parisian ritual is to rumble through the open air markets to buy fresh food. A not to be missed market is on Rue Montorgueil beginning at Rue Rambuteau (Metro: Les Halles). 2. Flower Market in Ille de la Cite There is no better way to make your home feel like yours than with fresh flowers purchased along the Seine. 3. Fauchon Gourmet Shopping with over 20,000 specialty food items from all over the globe is a guaranteed way to hone your kitchen skills or bring out your inner chef. 4. Roam Montmartre Yes, it's touristy and by some standards overrated but it's still Paris at its best so wander and enjoy the Sacre Coeur. 5. Six Feet Under Bring flowers and pay...